subs. (common).—In pl. = the eyes (GROSE). Also SEER = the eye.

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  1819.  T. MOORE, Tom Crib’s Memorial to Congress, 3 [Note]. To close up their eyes—alias, to sew up their SEES.

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  1827.  BULWER-LYTTON, Paul Clifford, lxxxii. Strike me blind if my SEES don’t tout your bingo muns in spite of the darkmans.

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  2.  (American).—A sight; a glance.

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  Verb. (colloquial).—1.  To believe; to credit; to consent: e.g., ‘I don’t SEE that.’

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  1882.  T. A. GUTHRIE (‘F. Anstey’), Vice Versâ, iii. If I were to go back to my governor now, he wouldn’t SEE it. It would put him in no end of a bait.

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  2.  (prostitutes’).—To copulate: also TO SEE STARS LYING ON ONE’S BACK.

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  PHRASES.  TO SEE IT OUT = (1) to finish a matter, (2) to keep up a carouse, and (3) to come to an understanding, or know the reason why; TO SEE ONE THROUGH = to help to a finish; TO SEE A MAN = to have a drink; TO SEE THE DEVIL = to get tipsy: see SCREWED; TO SEE THE BACK OF = to get rid of; TO SEE ONE COMING = to impose on; TO SEE DOUBLE = (1) to be drunk (see SCREWED), and (2) to squint; TO SEE ONE’S AUNT = to evacuate: see BURY A QUAKER; TO SEE AS FAR INTO A MILLSTONE (or MILESTONE) AS … = to be as able or cute as …; TO SEE STARS (SPOTS or CANDLES) = to be dazed: spec. from a blow. Also see BRICKWALL, ELEPHANT, SHOW, &c.

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  1546.  HEYWOOD, Proverbs. She had SEENE FAR IN A MILSTONE.

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  1628.  EARLE, Microcosmographie, ii. His eyes like a drunkard’s SEE all DOUBLE.

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  1692.  DRYDEN, Juvenal, vi.

        When vapours to their swimming brains advance,
And DOUBLE tapers on the tables dance.

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  1710.  CONGREVE, Art of Love.

        But carefully from all intemp’rance keep,
Nor drink till you SEE DOUBLE, lisp, or sleep.

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  1716.  ADDISON, The Free-holder, No. 22, 5 March. I had a mind to SEE him OUT, and therefore did not care for contradicting him.

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  1749.  SMOLLETT, Gil Blas (1812), X. x. Falling into a passion he gave me half-a-dozen boxes on the face … that made me SEE more CANDLES than ever burnt in Solomon’s temple. Ibid. (1751), Peregrine Pickle, c. Notwithstanding the disgrace and discouragement they had met with in their endeavours to serve our adventurer, they were still resolved to persevere in their good offices, or, in the vulgar phrase, to SEE him OUT.

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  1857.  DICKENS, Christmas Stories (Perils of Certain English Prisoners), (Household ed.), 46. We SAW OUT all the drink that was produced, like good men and true, and then took our leaves, and went down to the beach.

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